onto the positions least talked about - DL

[BrassCowboy]

We have talked about every set of position but rarely have I heard the DL mentioned nor the ? marks we "may" have on it.

Ratliff, done deal. I think he is the anchor, but I am talking about Spears and that new guy. (too old to remember his name and too lazy to look it up)

To me, Spears still needs to step it up. I guess he is workable and there may be teams out there that would love to have him, but for our Cowboys, I would still like to see more and we need to I think.

The new guy,from what I read here so far about him, is workable much like Spears. Hopefully he turns out to be better, but I do know his stats compare about equal to Canty. I would be saying the same about Canty as I do Spears if he was here.

I understand in a 3-4, DL is not as important, but I am thinking that Hatcher needs a bigger role on the line than he has because I believe he has alot of athleticism and potential to maybe be something great.

What do you guys think?

and can any of these rookies we drafted who played DE in college but are projected to play LB, can they contribute anything on the DL this year?

 

[Rampage]

#1 Igor(the new guy) is better than spears especially at rushing the qb. imo Igor will thrive playing inbetween Ratliff and Ware.

#2 I agree Spears needs to improve and may(I think this is a contract year for him) but I think he is what he is.

#3 I agree Hatcher should see more playing time replacing Spears especially against passing teams like Philly.

#4 all our rookies are too small to play DE in the 3-4 but could play DE in Nickel and Dime packages.

#5 there's been rumblings maybe Marcus Dixon will make the roster this year and get some playing time at backup DE.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

We have talked about every set of position but rarely have I heard the DL mentioned nor the ? marks we "may" have on it.

Ratliff, done deal. I think he is the anchor, but I am talking about Spears and that new guy. (too old to remember his name and too lazy to look it up)

To me, Spears still needs to step it up. I guess he is workable and there may be teams out there that would love to have him, but for our Cowboys, I would still like to see more and we need to I think.

The new guy,from what I read here so far about him, is workable much like Spears. Hopefully he turns out to be better, but I do know his stats compare about equal to Canty. I would be saying the same about Canty as I do Spears if he was here.

I understand in a 3-4, DL is not as important, but I am thinking that Hatcher needs a bigger role on the line than he has because I believe he has alot of athleticism and potential to maybe be something great.

What do you guys think?

and can any of these rookies we drafted who played DE in college but are projected to play LB, can they contribute anything on the DL this year?

several things wrong with some of what you said. in the 3-4 the DL is important, they are just not as visible in the stat line. if they don't do their job well, the LBs will get gobbled up by the OL men and FBs coming through.

plus, what else do you want to see from spears? how else is he suppose to step up? take a look around the league at the 3-4 DEs and tell me which ones have high stats in sacks, tackles, etc. I think spears is better than people give him credit for. he is not as athletic, but he is good against the run, he occupies the OL men and he plays the strong side as a DE.

none of the players we drafted project to the DL. read up on teh 3-4 defense a bit and you get a better understanding of the roles and requirements for the scheme.